Meditate on Psalms

Psalm 1
Blessed is the man that wallketh not
In the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor standeth in the way of sinners,
Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight
Is in the law of the Lord;
And in his law doth he meditate day and
Night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the
Rivers of water,
That bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
His leaf also shall not wither;
And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so:
But are like the chaff which the wind driveth
Away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the
Judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the
Righteous.
For the Lord knoweth the way of the
Righteous:
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

This psalm is supposed to be our daily practice and the principle of dealing with all circumstances. I make it a practice to first read the Scripture when I wake up in the morning. The Scripture helps me to be re-regulated in my mind, keeping me alert and somber-minded. And the Scripture delights my heart and teaches my mind how to act in whatever situation I am put in. All things work together to do good to those who love God. Furthermore, reflection on the words of God can help me to keep myself in love and wisdom. For example, be clean in everything to women, and seek others’ benefits. I like to reflect on these two principles in dealing with affairs of acquaintances, friends, and neighbors.

However, the wicked men like empty words walk in pride. While observing the frequent gaffe of Mayor Ko, who has been drawing media attention in these days, I feel that his words are like chaff which the wind shall drive away. Perhaps his words will become his snare pushing himself to the edge of downfall. God knows. May God bless Taipei and Taiwan.

Feb.5 Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
For his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
Shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the
Presence of mine enemies:
Thou anoitest my head with oil; my cup
Runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
For ever.

The Lord is our shepherd, who led, leads, and will lead us in the course of life. Constant prayers and unceasing petitions can help us to know the will of God, Who is willing to arrange everything for the good for those who love and seek Him. Don’t lose heart in seeking the will of God.
He will lead His people to green pastures where we can get spiritual and monetary supplies. And whenever we meet challenges or crises in life, He is willing to cure us and help us out. Although we walk through the valley of life, we won’t be hurt. Whenever we turn to the salvation of Israel, the King will help us and lead us out of any temptation and crisis.
And a normal Christian life is deeply and closely associated with a normal church life. A church based on the Bible and brotherhood can be called a normal church. Fortunately enough, my family can go to a Baptist church, which is based on the Bible on a weekly basis. And the fellowship has a taste of brotherhood and spiritual love. So dwelling in the house of the Lord can be translated into a normal and proper church life.

Feb. 7 Psalm 133

Behold, how and how
Pleasant it is for brethren to dwell
Together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the
Head,
That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s
Beard: that went down to the skirts of
His garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that
Descended upon the mountains of Zion:
For there the Lord commanded the blessing,
Even life for evermore.

A family, a church, a society, and even, a race, and nation which lives in unity will be blessed. The heavenly blessing is like the divine ointment descends upon the people. We have to pray for the public relations, which are destined to be blessed via our constant prayers.
Love and brotherhood can serve as the foundation of building and cementing a good relation between individuals and groups. And giving is more blessed than receiving.
And it is hoped that the division caused by ideologies, and nationalism existing between the blue camp and green camp in Taiwan, and even between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can be healed by love and brotherhood.
And I also have a small dream that the divisions and conflicts existing in my family tree can be cured and fixed. May the heavenly blessings descend upon a family living in unity due to the love of God and Jesus Christ.




Feb. 8
Psalm 134
Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye
Servants of the Lord, which by
Night stand in the house of the Lord.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
And bless the Lord.

The Lord that made heaven and earth
Bless thee out of Zion.

We are servants of the Lord, and we stand in the house of the Lord by night. And when our praises ascend to the throne of the Lord, blessings will descend upon us. Every night when I sleep, I mediate on God’s words, hoping that God’s peace will be in my sleep and dream. As soon as I wake up, I earnestly hope to have a morning watch in which I read the Bible and pray to the Lord. Actually, I am His servant who stand in the house of the Lord by night. Ceaseless petitions and constant prayers will wave His hands to work for the good of those who love Him and seek Him.

Feb. 18
Psalm 131
Lord, my heart is not haughty,
Nor mine eyes lofty:
Neither do I exercise myself in great matters,
Or in things too high for me.
Surely I have behaved and quieted myself,
As a child that is weaned of his mother:
My soul is even as a weaned child.
Let Israel hope in the Lord from
Henceforth and for ever.

When I was young, I had a haughty heart and lofty eyes. It is God’s mercy which changed my life. I experienced sickness and poverty and difficulties, which made me to learn to be humble and down-to-the-earth. And I also learn to put my trust in God to keep joyful and peaceful in mind.
God is all-mighty and compassionate and merciful. I learn to turn to Him for everything. How excellent His name is on all the earth. I fear, respect, and love His name. I desire to be humble and practical and mindful in everything. He will lead me and everything will do good for those who love God and fear God.

Feb. 19 Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the
Hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord,
Which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper:
The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil:
He shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and
Thy coming in from this time forth,
And even for evermore.

Looking back the past, I am thankful for the Lord always gives me timely help when I am in trouble or in difficult times. Be firm in our faith, and turn to the Lord whenever we need help. The Lord has power and sovereignty to turn the situations for the good of those who seek Him.
Furthermore, the Lord is really our sole protector. He protects us day in and day out. His eyes are always on us. His logos (the Word in the Scripture) and Rema (the instant words in Holy Spirit) show the way we should choose and protect us from all evil. Thank God for His help and protection.

Feb. 20 Psalm 122
I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go into the house of the
Lord.
Our feet shall stand within thy gates,
O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is builded
As a city that is compact together:
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the
Lord,
Unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks
Unto the name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones of judgment,
The thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
They shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions’ sake, I
Will now say,
Peace be within thee.
Because of the house of the Lord our God
I will seek thy good.

I pray for Israel for the peace in the Middle East. As God’s chosen people, Israelites still play a crucial role on the global stage. In recent two decades, terrorism has emerged as a global threat and crisis. In the Cold War era, the world was divided by communism and capitalism. However, for the time being, the world has been divided by Christianity and Muslims. Terrorism has posed a threat of the peace and stability of the whole world. Thus, let’s pray for the peace of Jerusalem, the Middle East, and the whole world.
In old ages, Jerusalem was the holy place for pilgrims. However, in today’s world, churches or cathedrals have become a place for Sunday worshippers. I make it a practice to go to church on Sundays for three decades. We need a normal and proper church life to sustain and empower our family and ourselves. The assembly serves a testimony for God’s presence and truths. I love my church, hoping that peace and prosperity will be there just as a tree flourishes by the river.

Feb. 21 Psalm 126
When the Lord turned again the
Captivity of Zion, we were like
Them that dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing:
Then said they among the heathen,
The Lord hath done great things for them.
The Lord hath done great things for us;
Whereof we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the south.
They that sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
Precious seed,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.

Israel is a chosen race according to the covenant of forefathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Although Israel was cursed and punished for their rebellion and sins, God never forgot His chosen people. He still had mercy on this race, and led them out of captivity. Nazi’s oppression and holocaust of Jews in the WWII was extremely traumatic all right, but God of the permanent convent never forgot His words of a promised land to Israel. So Israelites could be called out from all nations to rebuild their nation in the 1950s. The sign of a rainbow was high in the sky of Israel. The prince of peace blessed them and kept them.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. We should be encouraged to sow seeds of love to the world, and then we can definitely reap the harvest of love and brotherhood in joy.

Feb. 22 Psalm 127
Except the Lord build the house,
They labour in vain that build it:
Except the Lord keep the city,
The watchman waketh but in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up
Late,
To eat the bread of sorrows:
For so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Lo, children are heritage of the Lord:
And the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;
So are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of
Them:
They shall not be ashamed,
But they shall speak with enemies in the
Gate.

History repeats itself. Our labor under the sun is like vapor without the blessings of Heaven. Vanity in vanity; all is vanity.
God’s grace is a spring shower, which helps all plants grow naturally. Without God’s grace, man’s labor more often than not turns out to be nothing. Without the love of Christ, nothing done under the sun can benefit others.
In addition, we have to acknowledge that children are a heritage of the Lord. It is God’s blessings and grace that help me to have two kids. And I treasure them, expecting them to grow up and to be well built in order to serve and glorify God. Thank God for His abundant grace and blessings.

Feb. 23 Psalm 73: 25-26.
Whom I have in heaven but thee?
And there is none upon earth that I desire
Beside thee.
My flesh and my heart faileth:
But God is the strength of my heart,
And my portion for ever.

I love my wife, my family, my students, my neighbors, my friends, and my society and country. And the love which makes my love sustainable and fresh is the love of God. God is love. Whenever I turn to Him, contact me, and communicate with Him, His love becomes the strength of my heart, which will be enlarged and made bigger to accept, care, and love others. God is the fountain of love, the sole and precious source of love.
God is my portion, and my heritage. I hope to spread the seeds of God’s love to everyone around me. Winter nearly ends, and spring is coming. May God bless Taiwan, and God’s love can be shared and enjoyed by my countrymen.

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